BREAKTHROUGH STUDENTS ...

... ARE MOTIVATED
Students enter Breakthrough the summer after 6th grade and commit to the program through 12th grade. During middle school, they receive a total of 80 extra days of academic enrichment, apply for two contests, and pass at least two honors courses in school. In high school, Breakthrough students receive a laptop, online instruction, and a variety of other supports.

... DEMONSTRATE NEED
All of Breakthrough Saint Paul’s students demonstrate need for the program in at least two of the following ways:

• Her/his family is low income or eligible for free/reduced lunch.
• S/he will be in the first generation in her family to complete college.
• Her/his family primarily speaks a language other than English at home.
• Her/his family is led by a single parent.
• S/he self-identifies as a member of a racial/ethnic group that is under-represented in college.
• S/he a attends school designated as Title 1 under NCLB.
• S/he experiences a notable relationship stress (e.g. deployed parent).

Many students demonstrate need in more than two ways. Learn more.

... REPRESENT DIVERSITY
Breakthrough recognizes that there are many dimensions of human diversity. Racially and ethnically, Breakthrough helps under-represented groups, specifically students of color, to succeed in honors courses and get to college. 89% of our students self-identify as a person of color. Learn more about the diversity of Breakthrough’s student body.

... ATTEND SAINT PAUL SCHOOLS
To apply to Breakthrough, students must be enrolled in an SPPS elementary school. Almost all students remain in SPPS schools through junior high and high school. For those students that move outside the district, Breakthrough continues to serve them if they can provide transportation and meet ongoing expectations. Learn more about which schools our students attend.

... HAVE COMMITTED FAMILIES
In exchange for providing the program tuition-free, Breakthrough expects a major commitment from families as well as students. Parents and guardians agree to participate in several events annually and to ensure their children attend all activities. BSP reaches out to families by making frequent calls home, arranging carpools to events, and providing interpretation for families who do not speak English.